Lighting control system



F. B. ADAM LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM May 2, 1933. 7

Filed Oct. 18, 1928 A A R X f W H m K YKA HNX X mkI M w R mm M NA R w. m m m y 0 WM M Mm. F

Patented May 2, 193$ UNITED STATE FA OFFICE FREDERICK B. ADAM, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR T0 FRANK ADAM; ELECTRIC 60., OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION LIGHTING: CDNTROL SYSTEM Application filed October 18, 1928. Serial No. 313,282.

This invention relates to lighting control systems and more particularly to methods and means for controlling the intensity of illumination in theaters and auditoriums, either with or without dimmer units.

Variation of illumination intensity in such nstallations has heretofore been accomplished solely by the use of dimmer units. When the theater is to be illuminated dimly for a period of time, as during the presentation of a mo tion picture, considerable electrical energy is dissipated by this practice. My invention provides a dimming system which furnishes the full range of desired lighting ei'fects without the waste of electrical energy which'is incident to present day methods.

My system for controlling the brilliancy of lighting may be employed alone; or in conjunction with the usual equipment, in which dimmer units are necessary. While the combination I have contemplated permits unusual flexibility in the control of illumination intensity, the additional equipment utilized in efiecting these results in no way interferes with the apparatus customarily employed in installations of the kind referred to, but provides a separate and independent system for economically controlling the intensity of lights, which system may, if desired, be operated in connection; with the preset selective system which I hereinafter describe.

With the foregoing in View, and with. the object of effecting an economy in the use of electrical energy for illumination, as described; and with the further object of providing an economical method, or system, of lighting control, particularly for large installations; which method may be used in conjunction with dimmers to provide a 00minnation and selection of methods, with resulting economy and heretofore unknown flexibility of operation, I will now described my invention, so that those skilled in the art may understand the same. 1 i

The accompanying drawing is a schematic wiringdiagram showing an application of my invention to a pre-selective remote control system illustrating three separate groups of lamps, each group consisting of two branch circuits. For convenience .in description,

lighting these groups will hereinafter be referred to as the white borders, the blue borders and the red borders, the corresponding groups being indicated in this order on the accompanying diagram.

It will be understood that the diagram referred to, while illustrating a system comprising three interconnected lighting groups, is merely illustrative of any plurality of separate lighting groups, the number of which may be increased or reduced to any extent necessary or desirable; and likewise, eachgroup may consist of any desired plurality of branch circuitsinor does my invention reside in the specific means and instrumentalities shown and described, as it is obvious that various changes in arrangement and organization may be made without altering the scope of my invention.

The setting up and controlling of various lighting effects is accomplished by means of the arrangement and combination of circuits and switches which are diagrammatically illustrated, and referred to by numerals, in the accompanying drawing.

A dimming switch 2, which is essentially a single pole, double throw switch, is preferably provided for each lighting group. Such a switch is interposed between, and so connected with a rehearsal switch 3, hereinafter described, and double throw relay 4, that the position of the dimming switch handle determines whether the illumination from the particular group of lamps controlled by this switch, will be full bright or dim when the circuit is closed at either the rehearsal switch 3, the color master switch 5, the sta e master switch 6, or an all-master switc hereinafter referred to. The nature of, and circuit relations between, the recited switches, will be hereinafter fully described.

The assembly preferably includes a remote control apparatus which may include a plurality of individual relays. I prefer, however, to use in each control circuit, one double throw rel rately energized actuating coils 8 and 9, the particular coil to be energized depending upon the position of dimming switch 2. This switch is y 4: provided with sepa closed, and in one or the other of its positions. The remote control apparatus receives energy from the usual 115-230 volt three-wire mains 10, 11 and 12, and distributes it to the group of lamps 13 through the dimmer unit 14, as show-n. When, for example, the coil 8 is energized, the lamp circuits associated with the respective pairs of contacts 15, 16 and 17 are completed, normally throwing full rated voltage across the lamps, the brilliancy of which may, if desired unit 14. Upon actuating the dimming switch into the alternate position, coil 8 is replaced in the control circuit by coil 9, which, upon being energized, opens the lamp circuits between the paired contacts 15, 1 6 and 17, and completes the lamp circuit between the contacts 18 and 19. The lamps in the branch circuits comprising the given group, are now arranged in a different electrical combination effecting a series relation between the circuits of the group, and, in effect, altering the number of separate branch circuits, which results in a reducedvoltage across each branch, entirely independent of the normal effect of the dimmer unit governing the branch. A reduction of illumination intensity is thus attained without the use of any energy consuming dimming device in the circuit. Further control of dimming may be accomplished by means of the dimmer unit 14, in the usual manner.

The rehearsal switch 3, referred to above, is essentially a single pole, triple throw switch, having a terminal 20 adapted to be selectively connected with any of the three terminals 21, 22, or 23, which are connected, respectively, to the color master switch 5, the neutral main 11, and a common terminal of a plurality of selector switches, hereinafter described. Upon closing the circuit between terminals 20 and 22, the lamps controlled by the particular rehearsal switch are immediately energized, giving bright or dim illumination, depending upon the position of the dimming switch and assuming the dimmer unit to be in normal full-bright position. 'When the rehearsal switch is so positioned that the terminal 20 is in circuit with terminal 21, the control of the circuit in question is transferred to the color-master switch 5, which, in the present example, may be in the nature of a single pole double throw switch. By alike arrangement, the control of all illumination circuits of like color may be centralized, or accumulated in, a single color-master switch. Such accumulation may obviously be effected by connecting any desired plurality of-the terminals such as 21, of different rehearsal switches, with a common terminal of the accumulating color master switch. A color master switch so connected, when closed in a given position, causes all of the illumination circuits thus be reduced by means of the dimmeraccumulated, to be concurrently energized. The throwing of the color master switch to its alternate position, results in a further transference and accumulation of illumination control to the stage master switch 6, whereby any one, or any selected plurality of the illumination circuits of the several groups comprising the entire lighting system,

may be energized together.

The pie-selective featu e of the system, to enable the various combinations of lighting effects to be set-up, and thus arranged for, prior to the time of their use, and the retention of such combinations for repeated, similar lighting effects, is accomplished by means of the selector switches 24, 25, 26, etc., in connection with the allqnaster switches 27, 28 and 29, hereinafter described.

A gang of selector switches, comprising, by preference, as many individual switches as there are scenes requiring different lighting effects, provided for each group of lamps. All of the selector switches in each gang, may have a common terminal or feeder bus 30 which is in electrical connection with terminal 23 of rehearsal switch 3. Although each gang of selector switches is provided with the common feeder, it will be understood that the switches are entirely independently operable. Each of the selector switches is in essence a single pole, single throw switch.

One selector switch, for example 24, of each gang, is connected to an individual terminal of an all-master switch 27. Another selector of each gang, such as 25, is in circuit with a different all-master switch 28, etc. Each of the all-master switches is so constructed that upon actuation into its closed position, its individual terminals such as 31, 32 and 33, jointly and simultaneously mal e contact with the common bus 34:, which then places the closed switches in electrical connection with the neutral main. Each of the all-master switches is in principle, a single throw, multi-polar switch, having a. common feeder terminal. A switch suitable for this purpose'is described in my copendlng application of SerialNo. 73,430, filed December 5, 1925. There may, of course, be as many all-master switches as there are scenes requiring different lighting effects.

For purposes of illustration, let it be assumed that three consecutive scenes are to be shown, requiring, respectively, illumination effects produced by the following lighting circuits: In scene I, the white, red and blue borders are reouired; scene II requires the white and blue borders, but not the red; scene III calls for the white border, but neither blue nor red. To set up the required lighting circuits, selectorswitches 24 of the white, blue and red groups, switches 25 of the blue and white groups, and switch 26 of the white group, are closed; all other selector switches remaining open. With the rehearsal Learns switches 3 in the position shown in the accompanying diagram, lighting eii'ects for scene I will be obtained upon closing the allmaster switch 2 since this switch controls all the selector switches Which have been preset for scene l. Lighting effects for scene ll, in which the blue and white borders are re- ,quired, may be obtained by opening the circuits through the all-master switch 27 and closing it through the all-master switch 28. In a similar manner, scene Ill is obtained, when required, upon closing the switch It will be readily apparent from the preceding description that any combination of lighting circuits may be determined or set up in advance of actual use, on the selector switches, and the combinations usefully eftected upon energization of their respective circuits by means of the all-master switches. For purposes of illustration, the preceding description has dealt with means for dimming and controlling different group and branch circuits, which for convenience and example, have been designated as borders of ditterent color. Ubviously, similar group and branch circuits may be provided in any necessary number, for controlling the proscenium, and other lights of the stage or auditorium. Such additional lighting equipment may be connected into the all-master switches previously described, by providing in such switches, additional sets of individual terminals corresponding to those numbered 31, 82 and 33, so as to be brought into circuit with the common bus 28 of the deibed all-master switches. in this manner, vill obvious that the various c0mbinay of the border lights but of r or other lights may be id up, by means of the groups of individual seand that the cl sing of a witch, such as 27, need not n its eiiect to energizing the nation border lights alone. serve s well, to close the circuits of p slv determined upon, and for a icular scene. -re receding description of the pro-seatures of tlie system, and the use of xrious switching and controlling means, has been inserted for the salre of completeness, and to enable a full understanding of the present improvements. it will be seen any desired number of the dimming s blues 2, may be provided or added to any ci cuit, as may be required, and such switches hey be provided without any material alteration in the preferred "form of pre-selective ystern as described above. lt will further appear, the use of the dimming switches in no interferes with the normal operation of the dimmers themselves, but turnishes a distinct means especially adapted for use in circuits, the lights of which are rcquired to he energized for considerable periods at time, at a reduced voltage.

The novel method and means involved in the use and arrangement of the dimmer switches such as 2, constitutes an improvement which may be easily and readily applied to existing systems of theater lighting control. and which may, with equal facility, be applied as par of the original installation. in either event a dimming system is provided thereby, which eil'ects a full range of lighting effects without the waste of electrical energ incident to present day methods, and in fulfillment of the several objects set forth above.

I claim as my invention:

1. ln a dhomer-controlled group of lights, a. feeder circuit, a plurality of branch circuits adapted for connection in series or multiple to the feeder circuit, and switching means for varying the circuit arrangement of said branch circuits, while subject to full range dimmer control.

2. In a diminer-controlled lighting group, a feeder circuit therefor, a plurality of branch circuits comprising subdivisions of the group, and means for altering the number of branch circuits in said group, said means adapted, by such alteration, to control illumination intensity of all of thelights of each of said branch circuits, while said lights are subject to full dimmer control.

3. In a dimmer-controlled group of lights, a supply circuit, a plurality of branch circuits related for concurrent encrgization, a dimmer, adapted simultaneously and uniformly to control the branches, and a double throw switch adapted for varying the arrangement of said branch circuits relative to each other and to said supply circuit while the branches are concurrently energized and subject to full dimmer control.

4. In a lighting system, a source of electric energy therefor, a dimmer, a plurality of branch lighting circuits, arranged to be simu taneously influenced by said dimmer, and su'itchiu means. operable independently of the position of the dimmer, for selectively altering the circuit arrangement of said branches with respect to each other, and to said energy source, whereby to ailect a change of impressed voltage across each branch.

5. In a lighting system, a plurality of branch circuits, a variable dimmer arranged to control said circuits, and means for selectively relating a pair of said circuits in series, or in parallel relation, said means being operable independently of the dimmer and adapted to control intensity of illumination in the related circuits.

6. In a lighting circuit comprising a plurality of branches, a feeder circuit, means for effecting a variable control of the branchcircuit illumination, and means, operable in dependently of the variable control means,

adapted selectivel to connect said branches and feeder circuit 2n series, or in parallel relation, whereby to alter the intensity of illumination in each of said branches, by stages.

7. In a dimmer-controlled lighting circuit, a pluralit of branches, a dimmer common to the lig ts of said branches, and remotecontrol switching means operable in any position of the dimmer for varying the circuit relation existing between said branches said means arranged in one position, to efl cct a series relation between a pair of said branches.

8. In a preselective system of lighting control, a plurality of lighting groups, each group being subdivided into a plurality of branch circuits, means for connecting a combination of any selected plurality of said groups, in advance of their energization, and means for selectively relating the branch circuits of any group, in series or in multiple association, irrespective of its combination with other of said groups.

9. In a controlled lighting circuit, a plurality of lighting groups, a variable dimming device for each group, means, independent of said dimming devices, for associating any selected plurality of said groups, in advance of their energization and means for varying the circuit relation existing between the energized lightsof each of said groups.

10. In a'preselective system of lighting control, a plurality of lighting groups, means for associating any selected number of said groups, in advance of their energization, means for effecting an independent graduated control of illumination intensity in each of said associated groups, and means for varying the circuit relation of the energized lights in each group to provide for control of illuinination of intensity therein, by stages.

. 11. In a preselective system of lighting control, a plurality of lighting groups, means for connecting any selected number of said rou s for coener ization a se arate dimmer or the lights of each group, and switching means operable independently ofthe dimmers and ada ted to .vary the circuit association existing etween the coenergized lights in each of said groups.

FREDERICK B. ADAM. 

